image via SCSU Football
ORANGEBURG, S.C. — South Carolina State is headed back to the Cricket Celebration Bowl!
The Bulldogs captured their third consecutive Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) football championship Saturday afternoon, defeating North Carolina Central 38-24 at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium.
After a back-and-forth first half that featured 48 combined points, South Carolina State took control in the third quarter, scoring twice in a 47-second span to pull away from the Eagles.
The victory secured the Bulldogs’ conference-record 21st MEAC championship and punched their ticket to Atlanta, where they will represent the conference in the Celebration Bowl.
First-Half Shootout
North Carolina Central wasted little time getting on the scoreboard.
Gino Addison opened the contest with a 59-yard touchdown run just 23 seconds into the game, giving the Eagles an early 7-0 advantage.
South Carolina State answered when Keely Watson connected with Troy Hillman for a 30-yard touchdown, tying the game at 7-7.
The Eagles responded with a 3-yard touchdown reception by Mehki Wall from Joshua Jones, but the Bulldogs answered again with a 21-yard touchdown connection between Watson and Ricorian Brown to make it 14-14 at the end of the first quarter.
North Carolina Central regained the lead in the second quarter when Jones found Reginald Lancaster for a 14-yard touchdown, putting the Eagles ahead 21-14.
South Carolina State responded with an explosive trick-play touchdown as Zai Offord connected with Malaqhi Jones for a 58-yard score.
Riley Daniels converted a 24-yard field goal with 1:54 remaining in the first half to give NCCU a 24-21 advantage. However, Jett Jackson connected on a 38-yard field goal with just 18 seconds remaining to send both teams into halftime tied at 24.
Bulldogs Take Control in the Third Quarter
The momentum shifted decisively in South Carolina State’s favor after halftime.
The Bulldogs opened the third quarter with a 10-play, 65-yard scoring drive capped by a 10-yard touchdown pass from Watson to Malaqhi Jones, giving South Carolina State its first lead of the afternoon at 31-24.
Just 47 seconds later, Marquis Lane-Owens intercepted a pass from Jones and returned it 15 yards for a touchdown.
Jackson added the extra point, extending the Bulldogs’ advantage to 38-24.
South Carolina State’s defense shut down the Eagles the rest of the way, holding North Carolina Central scoreless throughout the second half to secure the 14-point victory.
Complete Scoring Summary
First Quarter
- 14:37 — NCCU: Gino Addison, 59-yard rushing touchdown (Riley Daniels kick).
- 10:50 — SCSU: Troy Hillman, 30-yard touchdown reception from Keely Watson (Jett Jackson kick).
- 6:59 — NCCU: Mehki Wall, 3-yard touchdown reception from Joshua Jones (Daniels kick).
- 2:13 — SCSU: Ricorian Brown, 21-yard touchdown reception from Watson (Jackson kick).
Second Quarter
- 11:53 — NCCU: Reginald Lancaster, 14-yard touchdown reception from Joshua Jones (Daniels kick).
- 8:29 — SCSU: Malaqhi Jones, 58-yard touchdown reception from Zai Offord (Jackson kick).
- 1:54 — NCCU: Riley Daniels, 24-yard field goal.
- 0:18 — SCSU: Jett Jackson, 38-yard field goal.
Third Quarter
- 10:21 — SCSU: Malaqhi Jones, 10-yard touchdown reception from Keely Watson (Jackson kick).
- 9:34 — SCSU: Marquis Lane-Owens, 15-yard interception return for a touchdown (Jackson kick).
South Carolina State Statistical Leaders
Offense
- Keely Watson: Threw touchdown passes to Troy Hillman, Ricorian Brown and Malaqhi Jones.
- Zai Offord: Connected with Malaqhi Jones for a 58-yard touchdown on a trick play.
- Malaqhi Jones: Two touchdown receptions, including a 58-yard score and a 10-yard touchdown.
- Troy Hillman: 30-yard touchdown reception.
- Ricorian Brown: 21-yard touchdown reception.
- Jett Jackson: Connected on a 38-yard field goal and converted all five extra-point attempts.
Defense
- Marquis Lane-Owens: 15-yard interception return for a touchdown, along with 1.5 sacks.
North Carolina Central Statistical Leaders
Passing
- Joshua Jones: 6-of-12 passing, 72 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
- Cobey Thompkins: 12-of-23 passing, 104 yards.
Rushing
- Gino Addison: 22 carries, 119 yards, one touchdown; averaged 5.4 yards per carry.
- Cobey Thompkins: 31 rushing yards.
Receiving
- Tyree Saunders: 4 receptions, 63 yards.
- Mehki Wall: 6 receptions, 54 yards, one touchdown.
- Reginald Lancaster: 4 receptions, 36 yards, one touchdown.
Defense
- Jakarri Martin II: 7 tackles.
- Ayden Davis: 7 tackles.
- TrayVaughn Swanigan: 7 tackles.
- Joshua Truesdale: 6 tackles.
Despite recording 314 total yards, North Carolina Central managed just 110 yards of total offense in the second half and failed to score after halftime.
Addison delivered one of his best performances of the season, recording his fourth 100-yard rushing game with 119 yards on 22 carries.
What’s Next?
South Carolina State advances to the Cricket Celebration Bowl, where the Bulldogs will represent the MEAC against the SWAC champion for the HBCU national championship.
The Bulldogs will have another opportunity to finish the season on top of the HBCU football world.
For North Carolina Central, the loss drops the Eagles to 5-6 overall and 3-1 in MEAC play. NCCU will close its regular season next Saturday against Morgan State.
Final Score: South Carolina State 38, North Carolina Central 24.
South Carolina State: Three-Time Consecutive MEAC Champions. Celebration Bowl Bound!
